Sealing construction

ABSTRACT

THE SEALING CONSTRUCTION HEREIN IS SHOWN IN A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT IN A DISPOSABLE NURSER WHICH INCLUDES A PLASTIC SHELL, A SACK-LIKE CONTAINER PARTIALLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE SHELL AND HAVING ITS TOP DRAPED OVER THE TOP OF THE SHELL, AND A SCREW CAP-NIPPLE COMBINATION. A LOWER FLANGE ON THE NIPPLE AND THE SACK TOP COOPERATE TO ACT AS A GASKET MEANS. THE SHELL TOP TERMINATES IN AN INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE. A CIRCULAR PROJECTION IS FORMED ON THE SHELL FLANGE EXTENDING UP TOWARD THE COMBINATION GASKET. THE PROJECTION IS SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE INNER SIDE OF THE WALL OF THE SHELL TOP AND THE SHELL FLANGE TO PROVIDE A SPRING ACTION BY THE FLANGE WHICH WILL MAINTAIN A SEALING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CIRCULAR PROJECTION AND THE GASKET COMBINATION WHEN THE CAP IS SCREWED ON. THE SPRING ACTION OF THE SHELL FLANGE PERMITS THE FLANGE TO YIELD WHEN EXCESSIVE CAP TORQUE IS APPLIED TO PREVENT THE CIRCULAR PROJECTION FROM CUTTING, WEAKENING OR OTHERWISE DAMAGING THE INNER CONTAINER PORTION OF THE GASKET COMBINATION. A FILLET IS ADVANTAGEOUSLY FORMED BETWEEN THE SHELL TOP INNER WALL AND THE SHELL FLANGE TO REINFORCE THE JUNCTION AND CONTROL THE SPRING ACTION OF THE SHELL FLANGE.

H. B. METTE May 23, 1972 CONSTRUCTION SEALING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1970 FIG.2

FIG. I

)NVENTOR. HERBERT B. METTE ATTORNEY May 23, 1972 H. B. METTE SEALING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1970 INVENTOR. HERBERT B. METTE United States Patent US. Cl. 21511 R 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The sealing construction herein is shown in a preferred embodiment in a disposable nurser which includes a plastic shell, a sack-like container partially disposed within the shell and having its top draped over the top of the shell, and a screw cap-nipple combination. A lower flange on the nipple and the sack top cooperate to act as a gasket means. The shell top terminates in an inwardly extending flange. A circular projection is formed on the shell flange extending up toward the combination gasket. The projection is spaced inwardly from the junction of the inner side of the wall of the shell top and the shell flange to provide a spring action by the flange which will maintain a sealing relationship between the circular projection and the gasket combination when the cap is screwed on. The spring action of the shell flange permits the flange to yield when excessive cap torque is applied to prevent the circular projection from cutting, weakening or otherwise damaging the inner container portion of the gasket combination. A fillet is advantageously formed between the shell top inner wall and the shell flange to reinforce the junction and control the spring action of the shell flange.

While the invention herein is particularly advantageously utilized in the disposable nurser hereinafter described it should be noted that the scope of the invention may include sealing constructions in general in which the same problems are encountered.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is an improvement over the disposable-type nursers such as that disclosed in U38. Pat. No. 3,161,311, issued Dec. 15, 1964.

While disposable nursers of this type have been generally most satisfactory, some difiiculties may arise if the proper care is not taken in the manufacture and use of the nursers.

In manufacturing the plastic shell a slightly non-planar condition of the top of the neck may result from a slight misalignment of the halves of the mold used in forming the container or shell. This deviation at the' junction may only be slight but when combined with irregularities that may occur in a cooperating gasket means may result in leakage.

In the case of the disposable nurser, the situation may be aggravated since the inner sack-like container is cooperating with the nipple flange to form the gasket means. Because the diameter of the bag is necessarily larger than the outer diameter of the shell, creases may result which if aligned with the deviation in the top of the shell at the junction of the halves thereof may result in leakage. This leakage may be avoided by careful assembly of the components of the nursers, but the shortage of time and the distractions present during assembly by the normal user may cause improper assembly.

Further, in attempting to prevent leakage, excessive torque may be applied by the user which may result in failure of a component. In addition, the temperature of the components at the time of the assembly may be substantially different from the temperature of the components at the time of use causing a difference in component sizes. Therefore, even though leakage may not be evident 3,664,535 Patented May 23, 1972 from a test therefor at the time of assembly, leakage may occur at the time of use. The latter two problems may be particularly troublesome in similar sealing constructions outside the disposable nurser field.

In attempting to solve the above problems a circular projection extending upwardly from a broader container top was introduced to the plastic container art in US. Pat. No. 3,212,663, issued on Oct. 19, 1965. This projection resulted in a higher pressure seal since the unit pressure on the relatively smaller projection is several times higher than that resulting from the same sealing torque applied to the broader top lip without the projection.

While the projection did increase the sealing pressure, it does not solve all of the problems encountered, some of which were set forth above. For example, since the projections disclosed in the prior art are substantially smaller, the chance of damage to the sack-like container is increased in that the sack may be cut by the projection, when excessive torque is applied, may tear at the pro jection when the assembly is dropped, etc.

The projections in the prior art have been located at the outer periphery of the neck, at least partially above the junction of the inner wall of the neck and the annular, inwardly extending flange that is usually used to prevent the top from wraping or buckling. Some prior art pro ections are located wholly above the wall of the neck. Neither of these types are able to effectively perform a spring action as will be described hereinafter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved sealing construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved disposable nurser assembly.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved sealing arrangement in a disposable nurser assembly which provides a continuous seal under adverse conditions without damage to the components of the assembly.

"Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a nurser assembly to which the teachings of this invention may be applied.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the nurser assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top portion of the shell of a nurser assembly illustrating the teachings of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the nurser assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a nurser comprising a rigid container, shell or bottle 10, preferably made of a strong heat and milk resistance plastic material. The generally cylindrical bottle slightly contracts circumferentially from the main body to the top, leaving a relatively wide mouthed opening 11 at the top of the container. The top edge 13 of the container is flanged inwardly as at 29 along its entire periphery for cooperation with the nipple in a manner hereinafter described.

The top of the container is circular in cross section and is provided with a screw thread 12 on its outside.

Beneath the lowest portion of thread 12 there is an annular guard lug 14. This lu-g is provided as a means for locking a bag retaining ring 15 in place.

Within container 10 is disposed a collapsible and disposable bag 18. This bag is preferably constructed of a synthetic resin so as to render the bag liquid-tight, strong, flexible transparent and heat and milk resistant. The bottom edge of the bag is sealed as along 19 to form a closed end container. The upper end of the bag remains open.

On the bag 18 being placed within container 10, the open top of the bag is turned back over the top of container extending overly outwardly and downwardly around the shell top.

The bag retaining ring is generally annular in shape having an inner circumference which is slightly less than the outer circumference of the bottle top below lug 14. Oppositely directed tabs 35 are formed on the outer diameter of the ring 15 to permit easy removal of the ring from the bottle. The ring is preferably constructed of rubber or other elastic material.

"As previously described the open top of bag 18 is turned back over the top of container 10. The bag top then extends downwardly until the end thereof is positioned below flange 14. The ring 15 is then placed over the outside of the bag and below flange 14. In this manner the bag is prevented from being displaced while it is being filled or otherwise utilized, since the rings nonexpanded circumference is less than that of the outer portion of the bottle top and due to the elastic quality of the rlng.

The diameter of the bag 18 preferably is just great enough to allow the top to fit snugly over the thread on the top of the bottle when the top of the bag is turned back over the top of container 10.

The nurser is provided with a nipple 21 held securely in place by a screw cap 22. The circular shaped top of the screw cap 22 has a circular hole 25 in its center, said hole being concentric with the outer circular perimeter of the top of the cap. Through said hole protrudes the lower end of the nipple. The upper tip of the nipple is perforated as at 26. The perforation may be round or preferably in the shape of a crosscut. The crosscut shape of the opening or perforation causes the nipple to act as a valve. The four resilient triangular portions 26a of the crosscut resiliently tend to close any opening absent the nipple being sucked on. Thus, on the nurser being inverted absent an infant sucking on the nipple, the liquid contained therein will not drip.

The lower end or base of the nipple is provided with a circular flange 27, the outermost portion of which is adapted to rest on top the turned back portion of the bag which portion of the bag in turn rests on and is turned over the upper rim of the bottle mouth. Were it not for the bag being positioned, the outer peripheral portion of flange 27 would rest directly on said rim. Additionally, an upturned annular ridge 27a extending around the entire outer peripheral edge of flange 27 may be provided for sealing purposes between cap 22 and flange 27. Further flange 27 may be provided, on its under side, with an annular depending flange 0r ridge 28. As previously described, the top edge 13 of the container is flanged inwardly around its entire periphery as at 29. Flanges 28 and 29 thus cooperate to hold bag 18 therebetween and to limit movement of the 'bag 18 when the nipple 21 is in place, and provide a seal.

Screw cap 22 has a central portion and a downwardly depending annular flange or skirt 30, said flange having an internal thread 31. Thread 31 coacts with external bottle thread 12 to releasably mate with and hold the cap in place. It is noted that the downturned end of the bag extends over the outside of the bottle top and downwardly over the bottle thread 12. However, the bag is sufiiciently resilient, flexible and strong enough to not interfere with the meshing of threads 12 and 31. When the cap is screwed all the way down it makes a seal with the bottle and nipple--the rubber nipple and the bag cooperating to form a combination gasket means.

A portion of the screw cap 22 extends radially into annular groove 32 of the nipple, near the nipples base. The groove forms an overhanging shoulder which, by coacting with the screw cap, firmly seats the nipple and prevents it from being dislodged into the fluid-containing bag.

As shown in FIG. 2, when liquid is placed in the bag, it deforms to assume the approximate shape shown. Since the bottom 17 of the bottle is open and there are open slits 16 in the sides of the bottle, the interior of the bottle is maintained at atmospheric pressure. As the contents of the bag are withdrawn, the bag partially collapses. Thus the external atmospheric pressure, by causing the bag to collapse on its contents being Withdrawn, prevents the formation of a partial vacuum within the bag. After each use of the nurser, the plastic bag may be discarded, thus abolishing the necessity for sterilizing the nurser after each usage thereof. This proves to be especially handy during a trip or voyage.

The flat surface 13 of the flange 29 is the same construction as disclosed in the hereimbefore referenced U.S. Pat. No. 3,161,311, and provides the upper sealing surface of the shell 10 for the construction shown.

Referring now to FIG. 3 to the enlarged cross-sectional view of the top portion of a shell 10 it can be seen that the sealing construction of this invention can be defined as a plastic cylindrical male portion 101? with an external screw thread 12 formed thereon. The male portion a terminates in an inwardly extending annular flange 29, substantially normal to the axis of the male portion 10a. The flange 29 has an inner periphery 29a defining the opening 11 into the male portion.

A female element or screw cap 22 (FIG. 2.) is adapted to fit over the male portion 10a and has an internal thread 31 mating with the external thread 12 on portion 10a.

As noted hereinbefore the nipple flange 27 cooperates with that portion of the top of the inner container 18 which is disposed over the top edge 13 of the flange 29 and shell 10, to form a combined gasket means.

The female element 22 has a top extending inwardly which acts to retain the combined gasket means in sealing relationship between the cap 22 and the upper edge 13 of the annular flange 29.

A circular projection 50 is formed on the annular flange 29 and extends substantially normal from the flange 29 toward the gasket means to make sealing contact therewith. The projection is spaced inwardly from the junction of an inner side 10b of the wall of the cylindrical male portion and the annular flange 29' to provide a moment arm for rotation of the plastic flange about the junction.

If the projection 50 were located above or partially above the wall of the cylindrical male portion of the shell, there would be no possibility of the projection 50' yielding in the event that excessive tightening torque were applied to the female portion or cap 22. Therefore, the inner bag or container portion 18 of the gasket means could be cut or damaged causing leakage. Further, even if the container 18 were not cut or torn initially by the excessive torque applied to cap 22, the high strain or pressure applied to the bag 18 might then cause a tearing or rupture if the nurser were cropped when the bag 18 is full of liquid. Still further, there is no possibility of compensation for changes in component sizes in response to substantial temperature changes that may be encountered, e.g. a sterilizing process, which would permit leakage sometime after assembly.

I have discovered that if a biased spring action or effect can be provided for the projection 50, then the above problems may be avoided. By spacing or locating the projection 50 inwardly from the junction of the flange 29 and the inner side or face 10b of the wall, such a spring action may be imparted to the component.

When the female portion or cap 22 is screwed into a gasket means retaining position on the male portion, the projection 50 contacts the combined gasket means. Because of the smaller area of the projection 50 compared with the area of top surface 13, a greater unit pressure is exerted against the gasket means for the same tightening torque, to effect the seal required.

The flange 29 is dimensioned, e.g. by selecting a certain thickness, so that in combination with a selected spacing of the projection 50 inwardly from the wall-flange junction, the flange will yield inwardly after a predetermined tightening torque is reached. Therefore, the seal is maintained but the unit pressure necessary to damage the gasket means, or in this instance the bag portion of the gasket means, is not reached.

With the proper choice of dimensions the flange 29 may yield, with the projection 50 maintaining the seal, until the cap 22 abuts against the outer periphery 13a of top surface 13, acting as a stop means and sharing the pressure with the projection 50. In this embodiment a double seal would be achieved.

As a desirable side effect, the spring action of flange 29 will move and maintain the projection 50 against the gasket means in a sealing relationship even though a substantial temperature change may cause a significant change in the size of the components involved. Thus, while the preferred embodiment of this invention is most advantageously used in a disposable nurser constructed of suitable plastic materials and has solved the problems that are peculiar to the nurser described, it can be seen that the principles of this invention may be applied to a sealing construction in which the flange particularly, and the other components if desired, may be made from a material that can be dimensioned to exhibit the resilient spring effect desired. Certain metals or alloys of metals can provide the properties desired.

It is further anticipated that the nipple flange 27 will have a greater life than it would have if the projection 50 were located above the wall of the shell, since a predetermined sealing pressure of the projection 50 is not exceeded because of the spring effect of the flange 29.

To aid in attaining the spring effect desired a notch 51 may be formed around the outer periphery of the top edge 13 to permit the flange 29 to bend or flex inwardly with greater facility.

A fillet 60 may be formed around the inside of the neck of the shell at the junction of the wall and the flange 29. The fillet 60 reinforces the junction and may be used to control the amount of spring action of the flange 29. To attain the maximum reinforcement for the junction while controlling an increase in flexibility or spring action of the flange from the outer to the inner periphery thereof, the fillet may be provided with the concave shape shown in FIG. 3. The reducing thickness of the concave shape as it is feathered into the bottom of flange 29 permits a controllable increase in flexibility while keeping the junction corner solidly filled with reinforcing material.

The projection 50 may advantageously be formed adjacent the inner periphery 29a of the flange 29 to provide maximum spring flexibility. This also provides a continuous surface between the inner periphery and the projection which aids in cleaning, the cleaning being for purposes of appearance only since the nurser combination supplies sterile liquids through the nipple. This also reduces the number of edges against which the sack-like container must rub.

While I have herein shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that although problems peculiarly associated with a nurser were solved, the principles of my invention may be applicable elsewhere. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to a nurser per se, and expect that modifications may be made which will fall within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a nurser designed for infant feeding, the combination of: a plastic outer shell having a plurality of openings therein including an opening at its top and an exterior thread near said top, said top terminating in an inwardly extending annular flange substantially normal to the axis of said shell, said flange having an inner periphery defining the opening into the top of said shell; a screw cap including a top portion, a nipple receiving opening formed in the top, and a depending annular skirt portion having an interior thread releasably mated with the thread on said shell; a nipple for disposition in said cap having an annular flange near its base, said flange being so dimensioned as to rest on top of said shell between said shell top and said cap top; a sack-like inner container partially disposed within said shell and having its top extending overly outwardly and downwardly around said shell top; means for removably securing said sack-like container in said described disposition in and on said shell; said sack-like container and said nipple flange cooperating to form a gasket means; and a circular projection formed on and extending upwardly from said shell top flange, said projection being spaced inwardly from the junction of said shell top flange and the upper inner wall of said shell to provide a moment arm for rotation of the shell flange about said junction, said shell flange acting as a spring to maintain said projection in a sealing relationship with said gasket means when said cap is screwed onto said shell top in a gasket means compressing position, the shell flange yielding in response to application of excessive torque to said cap to prevent said projection from damaging said container portion of said gasket means while still maintaining a sealing relationship therewith, said circular projection being formed adjacent said inner periphery of said shell flange to provide maximum spring action and a continuous surface between said inner periphery and said projection for facilitating cleaning and to reduce the number of edges against which the inner container must rub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,161,311 12/1964 Boston 215l1 3,212,663 11/1965 Greenwell 21540 3,132,806 5/1964 McNair et a1 215-43 3,229,841 1/1966 Bailey 215-43 FOREIGN PATENTS 233,728 5/1961 Australia 21511 B JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner S. MARCUS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 215-40 

